Blackberry picking time is now!

While conducting my weekly wildflower inventory at Summer Hill Natural Area today, I spied these ripening blackberries.

Common Blackberry fruit

However, those pictured are not ripe yet – fully ripened blackberries are black in color, not red.  You’ll want to pick them – like any fruit – at peak ripeness for the best flavor.

If you find enough ripe blackberries to give them a taste test, I would suggest making a simple sauce to have over vanilla ice cream or pancakes or waffles.  If you are lucky enough to find a sufficient quantity to try a few culinary experiments, then consider these:

• 41 of the most delicious things you can do with blackberries
• Blackberry Summer Pudding
• Blackberry Cobbler
• Blackberry Pie Bars
• Blackberry Swirl Pound Cake
• Blackberry Cloud Cake with Pistachios
• Blackberry Puffs
• Genoise Roll with Lemon-Blackberry Semifreddo
• Blackberry-Red Wine Gelatin
• Blackberry Chip Ice Cream
• Ten-minute Blackberry Cream Pie
• Blackberry Hand Pies
• Blackberry-Vinegar Caramel Sauce
• Pork Medallions with Blackberry Chutney
• Blackberry Crush

Bon appetit!